{H}A PROMPT RESPONSE{1}{Q}

{4}Ken Hughes presents a utility which will add a professional touch
to your home video productions{1}{Q}

{3}WHEN a professional broadcaster is doing a set piece to camera, the
chances are he or she is using an Autocue device. This contains a copy
of the script and is operated by a member of the studio staff who
carefully keeps pace with the speaker.{1}{Q}

{P}When doing a similar thing in your home videos _ perhaps an
introduction to the footage which follows _ the end result of having
your own Autocue would be a more polished performance with no breaks
in continuity while you search for the right word or try to remember
what comes next.{Q}

{P}If you own a PC, you too can have the benefit of your own prompter.
The program, which is available on disc _ see below for details of how
to obtain it _ turns your computer into a home version of the famous
{2}Autocue{1} device.{Q}

{P}The basis of the system is a piece of software which reads text
previously prepared on a word processor _ or simple text editor _ and
a push button which plugs into your PC's joystick port.{Q}

{P}If you have a colour monitor _ either CGA or EGA _ you are able to
display selected areas of text in white characters on a red
background. This allows you to mark the script where you want to
emphasise it.{Q}

{P}The way in which text is marked for this colour treatment is to use
an open curly bracket ([) at the start of the segment and a close
curly bracket (]) to return to normal screen colours as shown in
Figure I.{Q}

{P}The push button is used to start and stop the text scrolling up the
screen. It can be controlled by the person doing the speaking or it
can be controlled off-camera by another person _ as long as they can
read the computer's screen.{Q}

{H}Making the hardware{1}{Q}

This is not a major construction project. On the prototype version I
used a joystick handle and re-wired it to work on an Amstrad PC.{Q}

{P}The wires from pins two and eight of the connector needs
unsoldering on the printed circuit board inside the joystick. They
should then be joined to the wires coming down the handle from the
fire button.{Q}

{P}When this has been done, plug the joystick connector into the port
on your PC _ on the Amstrad, this is on the back edge of the keyboard.
And that's all there is to it.

{P}Many electronics shop _ such as your local Tandy store _ sell small
hand-held push buttons. These are the type used by Michael Fish and
his colleagues from the Met Office, to control the weather displays on
the daily TV forecasts.{Q}

{P}If you buy one of this type of buttons, you can use the lead from
an old joystick or buy a 9-pin D type female connector and wire the
terminals of the button to pins two and eight.{Q}

{H}Using the program{1}{Q}

Once you have obtained the program disc you can start work on your
text. Any word processor or text editor will do the job.{Q}

{P}The only points to remember are that the page width should be set
to 39 and the finished script must be saved in Ascii format. If you're
not sure how to do those, refer to the manual which came with your
software.{Q}

{P}The program uses a 40 cloumn display which gives larger characters
on screen thus making the script easier to read from a distance.{Q}

{P}Don't forget to mark any parts of the text with curly brackets if
you want to emphasise it. Now you are ready to begin.{Q}

{P}Set up your PC just in front of and below the camera. Enter
PCPROMPT to run the program then select the script you want to use.
The screen will show the current time and a message inviting you to
press the button when you are ready to begin speaking.{Q}

{P}Whoever is operating the PC should press the button to start the
text scrolling up the screen. If the speaker is going slower than the
rate at which the text is scrolling, another press of the button will
halt it.{Q}

{P}The button must not be held down _ it should be used as a switch.
Press and release to start, press and release to stop.{Q}

{P}In addition to its use as video prompter, this program can also be
used for after-dinner or public speaking.{Q}

{? Panel --------------------------------------------------}

{H}How to get your program{1}{Q}

PCPROMPTER is available on a disc with both the Basic Ascii file and
an executable .EXE version ready for use on any PC with MSdos 2.x or
greater.{Q}

{P}Send a cheque or postal order for #**.** made payable to Database
Publications to the address below.{Q}

{P}If you don't have a PC, a stamped, self-addressed envelope will
bring you a photocopy of the Basic listing. This can then translated
for use on your own computer.{Q}

{P}The address for the disc or the listing is:{Q}

Video Action,{Q}
Europa House,{Q}
Adlington Park,{Q}
Adlington,{Q}
Cheshire,{Q}
SK10 4NP.{Q}

{? END OF PANEL -------------------------------------------}

{? Captions ------------------------------------------------}

{2}Figure I: The script being prepared in a word processor{1}{Q}

{2}Figure II: A screen shot of the of the program in action{1}{Q}

{? 942 words}
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Brian,

You need to check the price of the disc - this can be done nearer the
publication date.

I have Figure I here and a screen shot of the program in action.

See you Wednesday,

Ken.
.s